It's cute how the NHL phrases this news tonight.
"NHL, Devils resolve Kovy contract dispute."
If your definition of "resolve" is "we're going to tell you what to do," then yes, this matter is resolved. The NHL has handed out a hefty fine to the New Jersey Devils over the Kovalchuk situation, stripping the club of $3 million in cash and two draft picks -- a third rounder in 2011 and a first rounder in the either 2011, 2012, 2013 or 2014.
The year on that first rounder is at the Devils' discretion, and according to the NHL.com report, the Devils have to alert the league by the day after the Stanley Cup is awarded in the year they select. Where do those two draft picks go? They vanish, and two players are robbed from NHL draft glory because of them.
Thanks, Mr. Lamoriello.
In all seriousness, the Devils aren't happy with this, obviously. They should feel lucky that the $3 million fine will not hit them in the salary cap, but don't tell them that this evening. Lou was short and sweet in the statement he released on the matter.
Newark, NJ – New Jersey Devils President/CEO/General Manager Lou Lamoriello today issued the following statement:
“We were today advised of the ruling by the Commissioner with respect to the Kovalchuk matter. We disagree with the decision. We acted in good faith and did nothing wrong. We will have no further comment.”
We quoted the whole thing there, even the dateline, just to show how succinct it was. We think it speaks volumes. Also, the "we did nothing wrong" thing seems rather petty when faced with the decision of an independent arbitrator who said they did in fact do something wrong, but nevertheless.
At the end of the day (and seriously, this better be the last update this StoryStream ever sees), the NHL has clearly won the war against long-term, cap circumventing contracts. They forced the NHLPA into an agreement on these a few weeks ago, and now they've sent a clear message to the NHL's teams.
Don't do this again, or we'll steal your stuff.
For more, be sure to check out our Devils blog, In Lou We Trust.
4 comments
Penalized: NHL Hands Devils Hefty Fine For Cap Circumvention In Kovalchuk Mess
4
Sep 13
2
Sep 3
2
Sep 1
Comments
Know you’re obviously a Flyers fan but at least read the arbitrators decision. Bloch said that neither Kovalchuk nor the team did anything wrong. The fine was at Bettman’s discretion.
by drhgzang on Sep 13, 2010 10:15 PM EDT reply actions
If I’m driving and I go 20 miles over the speed limit because I’m late for work, I’m not acting in bad faith. I’m just trying to get to work. That doesn’t mean I’m not doing something wrong.
The arbitrator said that he didn’t think the Devils “acted in bad faith.” Just because they didn’t act in bad faith doesn’t mean that they didn’t do anything wrong. By making the decision and agreeing with the League, Bloch was saying that the Devils broke the rules — that the Devils did something wrong.
Visit the BSH Store :: Get us on Twitter :: facebook, too!
Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. 2010 Eastern Conference Champions.
by Travis Hughes on Sep 13, 2010 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Those picks should go to the Blues
With Scott Stevens’ signature.
Lighthouse Hockey: Trying to reconstitute the Hogue-Turgeon-Thomas line from NHL 94.
by Dominik Jansky on Sep 14, 2010 11:28 AM EDT reply actions
Yeah, as a Blues' fan...
…it’s hard for me to work up any Sympathy For The Devil(s) here.
I think you can safely bet the ranch that, if it had been the Blues who signed Kovalchuk to that original contract, Mr. Lamoriello would have been the first person banging on his pet commissioner’s door, howling about “blatant cap circumvention.”
"If we do not prepare for ourselves the role of the hammer, there will be nothing left but that of the anvil."
-- Otto von Bismarck, 1851
http://futurenotes.blogspot.com
by Tomorrows Blues on Sep 14, 2010 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed